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April 4, 2013
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I will be hiking in the Rockies in a few weeks in areas where there are both brown and black bears, as well as other critters that might decide that I would make a nice meal. While we will carry bear spray and wear bear bells, what round do the wise ones here recommend if things get interesting with a bear or other carnivore? I have the following pistols available to carry:
S&W 1006
S&W 1066
Dan Wesson .357 magnum 4"and 6" barrels
Dan Wesson .44 magnum 4"and 6" barrels
Thanks
Geoman
Dans Club
January 17, 2015
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If your Smiths are reliable, then I'd pack the 10mm. If not, take the .44. Leave the .357 at home
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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Really it's personal preference but I agree the .357 may want to stay home, unless that's what you shoot the best. The .44 in 4" is one of my favorite configurations. The ammunition is most important-stout loads from Double Tap would serve you well.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
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July 2, 2011
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I've fired this stuff in .41 magnum. Pretty stout.
To the paranoid people who check behind shower curtains for murderers:
if you find one...what's your plan?
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Dans Club
March 25, 2013
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Buffalo Bore makes a potent round. +2 on the 44. I would feel more comfortable with the 44 than the 10 mil.
August 28, 2014
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I would echo the other posters in my feelings for the .357; while its my favorite cartridge to shoot, the .44 is probably a better choice for your needs.
I would eschew any hollow-point ammo in favor of a good, heavy hardcast bullet with wide meplat. Buffalo Bore and Double Tap offer several appropriate loadings.
December 19, 2014
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When it comes to bears, I've never shot at one. But I've talked to several folks who have out of necessity (bear was attacking). These were all in Alaska and all brown bears. And almost as a consensus, you need a round that will break/destroy the bear's shoulder's and hips (or lower thigh of rear legs), all four, cuz that's the only way your going to stop it. A shot into the chest or head and the bear will continue to attack until it's unconscious or can't breath. Then you put a round into it's chest and a final round into it's skull (from the side behind the ear) to finish it off. So the rounds they all used? 00 buck in 12-guage to break the shoulders, then a couple of sabot's for the chest and head. So that's a 12-guage shotgun. None carry a pistol for bears, just for other things. YMMV. Not sure if a .44 mag will break the shoulders/hips.
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Dans Club
February 22, 2009
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?? I would think that 00 buck (~9mm projectiles @ 54 gr. each) at 1100 fps wouldn't cut the mustard. But then again, that's just me...there are 9 pellets... I would go with the slug, however.
Technically, the glass is always full; half liquid, half air....
December 19, 2014
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Apparently its the totallity of the buckshot that destroys the shoulder joint. I've shot a 2x6 with 12-guage 00 buck, and it doesn't leave much left, generally splits it through completely. I guess the slugs make a nice big hole, but it must need to sever a whole lot to be effective. Again, I don't have any experience shooting an attacking bear, just what some experienced folks told me.
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Dans Club
December 4, 2011
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S&W 500 mag with 700 gn Trex hard cast, if you had one that is. Otherwise, I'd carry the 44 mag or a 445 if available.
Anything worth doing is worth doing well.
My father
If a man designed it, and a man built it, then a man can fix it.
My grandfather
August 9, 2015
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How do you guys think our beloved 357 MAXIMUM SuperMag would fair against a big ole brown bear.
Using 180gr wide flat long nose. I've heard that the Maximum cartridge has the same power as a .308 within
200yrds.
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